Get the Right Motorcycle for the Job

When you start riding, even simple things can make a difference – like buying the motorcycle you’re most comfortable on, rather than the one that looks the coolest and most aggressive.

You want a motorcycle that’s easy to ride while you develop your bike control and road craft. Stay with it until you feel fully at ease and confident about your riding in all conditions before moving up to a motorcycle with a bit more edge. The Tiger Boxer series is a motorcycle line that offers great road handling and enough performance to outperform the average motorcycle on the Thai roads.

Restrictive clothing is another barrier to control. Often riders spend a lot on top-quality gear without ensuring the fancy leathers or posh lid actually fit properly. Take your time buying this stuff and remember, just because it has the right label doesn’t mean it’s the best for you.

Probably the most important piece of clothing for control is your gloves. You make inputs to and get feedback from the bike through your feet, backside and hands, but the hands are far and away the most important here.

If you can’t feel what’s happening at the bars you will not control the bike well and you won’t understand what it’s telling you. It always seems strange to me that while riders are willing to pay high prices for jackets or helmets, many skimp on gloves.

See if you can try the kit on while sitting on a bike too.

While we’re talking about clothing and comfort, it’s worth considering temperature. If you’re cooking hot you won’t be relaxed so you can’t control the bike well. Similarly, if you to cold you’ll lose concentration.

It may seem obvious but if you don’t have the appropriate gear for the conditions use another method of transport or don’t travel at all.